Summer 2013; a challenge

This summer I have had the wonderful opportunity to serve at Mercy Street, a nonprofit in West Dallas. (mercystreetdallas.org) Mercy Street exists to bring glory to God, and make disciples in West Dallas-to change West Dallas, and raise Christ-fearing leaders. This summer I've been interning with their Leadership Institute. I've been able to "walk life" with 19 high schoolers from West Dallas: get to know them, learn about their neighborhoods, serve in their community, learn more about other organizations & universities, and walk through the Bible each day with them.

This summer has not only blessed me through the relationships I've gained, but it has replenished my desire to serve the Lord in ALL that I do. Not just in church, with christian organizations, or christian camps, but in the way I live my life. Because of the gospel, because of the truth of Christ humbling himself to save me because He loves me so much, should change the way I live and view life...and lives. Christ came to live, serve, love and "become all things to all people so that some may be saved". (1 Cor 9:19-23) THIS truth should REVOLUTIONIZE the way I live. I should view all people the way Jesus views us-He loved us so much that He came as a ransom & willingly died in our place. He took our sin, a perfect savior, paid the penalty for sin for us. But that's not all He did. He not only took our shame and died our death, but He conquered that shame and death. He rose to life on the third day. (Matthew 27: 24-28:20) He is the only reason we have hope & confidence in a future with God, the loving maker of this world.

This truth should steer my thoughts, my speech, my actions, and my motives to serve others. Whenever I am doubting, scared, unmotivated, I should remember the truth Jesus left the disciples before he ascended, "I will be with you always, even until the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) Yeah, that's right. Jesus dwells within me & is my guide. Gosh, this is great news that I so often take so lightly. NO, the King of Heaven is on MY side & He wants what is best for me. Who am I to have such love & provision. I always loose sight of this, that is, until something tragic happens. Why does it take horrible things for me to understand that the Lord is on my side. Even way back when Jesus was on this earth, people doubted. (Read Matthew 8, so many accounts where the disciples are asking for signs that He's who He says He is: miracles, feeding 5000, calming the storm ect.)

So I leave this post with a challenge. The simple truth of the gospel, although is difficult to completely grasp, persuade me to serve, love, live in a way like Jesus, to become all things to all people so that some may be saved.

Delaine